Get your May 3 primary election questions answered by our Ohio Statehouse Bureau
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It would be an understatement to call this election season contentious and confusing.
The Dispatch will present Columbus Conversations: "What do you need to know about this election?" 4:30 p.m. today, April 26 to provide readers answers ahead of the May 3 primary election.
This free, hour-long town hall event will feature members of the USA TODAY Statehouse Bureau and will be hosted by Dispatch Opinion and Community Engagement Editor Amelia Robinson.
"We want voters to feel confident they have accurate information before they cast their ballots," Robinson said.
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The program will stream live on Dispatch.com and the newspaper's Facebook page and YouTube channel. It will be available to view on those platforms following the event.
Panelists for the discussion will be:
Anthony Shoemaker, USA TODAY Ohio Bureau chief
Jessie Balmert, USA TODAY Ohio Bureau reporter
Haley BeMiller, USA TODAY Ohio Bureau reporter
The main statewide races on the ballot May 3 are the Republican and Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate and Ohio governor.
U.S Senate race
Former President Donald Trump shook up the Republican primary in the U.S. Senate race earlier this month with his endorsement of author and venture capitalist J.D. Vance.
For weeks the race was focused on former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and businessman Mike Gibbons who had led in recent polls. Also in the race is former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken, who is endorsed by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, who is leaving the seat next year. State Sen. Matt Dolan, businessman Mark Pukita and businessman Neil Patel are also running.
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The race has gotten testy in recent weeks.
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Gibbons and Mandel had to be separated after getting in each other's faces on a Columbus-area debate stage last month.
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On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan is running against Morgan Harper and tech executive Traci Johnson. The three debated last month at Central State University.
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Race for Ohio governor
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is running for re-election and faces three Republican challengers: former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, farmer and businessman Joe Blystone and former state Rep. Ron Hood.
This is just Ohio's first primary of the year
There has been a battle of wills between the Ohio Redistricting Commission and the Ohio Supreme Court about the drawing of Ohio House and Senate district maps that is resulting in two primary elections elections. The date for the second primary has not been set.
What questions do you have about the upcoming election? @jbalmert @AR_Shoemaker @haleybemiller pic.twitter.com/IksihYhdvV
— Amelia Robinson (@1AmeliaRobinson) April 22, 2022
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Federal judges last week set May 28 as the deadline for Ohio's leaders to resolve problems with voting district maps so the state could hold an Aug. 2 primary for state House and Senate races.
Do you have questions for the panelists?
Email them to Amelia Robinson at Arobinson@Dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio May 3 primary: What do you need to know about this election?
